Niger State governor Mohammed Bago has extended condolences to the families of the victims of a tanker explosion that killed 35 persons and hospitalized 17.
Bago’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the occurrence on Tuesday evening as “worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.”
Chronicle NG gathered that the event occurred at approximately 2.40 p.m., when the tanker toppled on its side in a single mishap.
Wasiu Abiodun, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, told our correspondent on Tuesday that after the accident, some villagers went to the spot to gather up the spilt petrol.
He mentioned that while the residents were scooping the spilt content, fire engulfed the tanker.
Abiodun stated, “Today, October 21, 2025, at about 2.40 p.m., a report was received from the DPO of Katcha Division that there was a lone tanker vehicle accident along the Bida/Agaie highway, and as a result, the tanker conveying PMS fell by the roadside.
“Unfortunately, members of the public living around Essa village via Katcha rushed to the scene and were scooping PMS, and in the process, the tanker was suddenly engulfed in an inferno.”
He also stated that out of the 48 victims affected by the fire, 31 people lost their lives at the spot of the incident, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“Sadly, forty-eight persons were affected by the fire, and among these victims, thirty-one persons lost their lives, while others are still receiving treatment in various nearby hospitals. Three motorcycles were also burnt.
“Teams of policemen and other security agencies were moved to the scene for a rescue operation. Further investigation is ongoing to identify the driver and the owner of the said tanker,” Abiodun concluded.
In reaction, Bago prayed for the repose of the lives of the victims while expressing displeasure towards the act of petrol scooping.
“The farmer governor prays that Allah will repose the souls of those who died in the explosion and grant quick recovery to the injured.
“He says it is disheartening how people have continued to approach a fallen tanker to scoop its contents despite several sensitizations on the danger of such action.
“The farmer governor enjoins the people to value their lives no matter the situation,” Ibrahim stated in part.
